42 national geographic • month 2011
Confronted by a 130-foot waterfall
in his way, ben Stookesberry rappels
down a cliff with his kayak on the Rio
Alseseca in Mexico, a river never
explored in its entirety. He has made
124 first descents on wild rivers.
lucas j. gilman
“
Fifty years ago we didn’t have the technology
to run these rivers. Fifty years from now many
could be dammed. Now is the time to explore
them and hope others follow.”
—bE N STOOkESbERRy